What inspires an award-winning author, gardener, and carpenter? On today's episode of all about books we'll find out when I speak with Nina Newington about her latest novel Cardinal Divide. 

It was an honour speaking with Nina; if you'd like to learn more about her and voices rarely heard in fiction...

Cardinal Divide was published by Guernica Editions. Guernica is offering free shipping until end of September.

Fasten your seatbelt! Today's edition of all about books features internationally acclaimed novelist and screenwriter Brad Smith. From the moment I cracked open his novel The Goliath Run, Smith had me zooming through to find out what would happen next. 

If you want to find out what inspires Brad, watch our interview.

To learn more about Brad or to purchase a copy of his book(s)

Published by At Bay Press and they have autographed copies.

Catherine Kenwell and Heather Down are the authors of Not Cancelled /Canadian Kindness in the Face of COVID-19. Not cancelled is a collection of 49 human interest stories, from every province—Indigenous voices, newcomers, people of all ages.

Amid the craziness of COVID, when everything was being cancelled—the book focuses on all this goodness that wasn’t. Not Cancelled made me feel proud to be Canadian. For an injection of kindness, watch our interview.

To learn more about this author, mediator and brain injury survivor

Not cancelled was published by Wintertickle Press. To purchase a copy

On all about books, I had the pleasure of interviewing author Logan Macnair. His debut novel Panegyric (a public speech or published text in praise of someone or something; a eulogy) not only kept me entertained--it improved my vocabulary!

Watch our interview to find out how Leonard Cohen inspires Logan. 

If you'd like to learn more about this writer, doctoral student (specializing in extremist media, ideology, and radicalization), and pub trivia frequenter or purchase a copy of Logan's novel

BTW...that incredible picture was taken in Israel. 

Critically acclaimed novelist, screen writer and TV documentarian Paul Butler was today's guest on all about books. Paul's novel Mina's Child examines the Dracula myth from a VERY different perspective.

Click below to find out what prompted Paul to shake things up in his version. 

If you'd like to learn more about Paul or purchase a copy of Mina's Child

Published by Inanna Publications.

On all about books, we'll go to Africa with author A.S. Compton. Her debut novel A Grandmother Named Love follows a tradition woman who lives on the Kalahari and finds herself the sole caregiver for seven young grandchildren. 

​Click below to find out how a 6-month stint in Africa was the inspiration behind Compton's novel and how her time abroad changed her...

In today's all about books interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with award-winning author and film documentarian Dr. Jocelyn Cullity about her book The Envy of Paradise, the sequel to Amah & the Silk-Winged Pigeons.

Click below to learn how Jocelyn's fascinating family history led to her interest in colonial, post-colonial, and contemporary India. And, how this connection influences her work. 

Published by Inanna Publications.

In today's all about books interview, I was fortunate to speak with internationally-acclaimed, award-winning author Lisa de Nikolits about her novel The Occult Persuasion and the Anarchist's Solution and can I just say...everyone should have an anarchist in their life!  Here's what Lisa had to say...

If you'd like to learn more about Lisa de Nikolits and her anarchist or purchase a copy of her book 

Published by Inanna Publications.

I love a great book. When an author shares insight about how their novel came together...even better. To celebrate authors and learn about what inspired them to write their books, on my all about books YouTube channel I've launched an ask the author segment. My first behind the scene interview was with Lucy E.M. Black. 

Lucy Black is an educator and has published a collection of short stories—The Marzipan Fruit Basket and her debut novel Eleanor Courtown.  

Eleanor Courtown is a historical fiction that takes place in 1870. It follows a young woman of privilege, who leaves Ireland—in secret, in search of her much loved widowed cousin in Orange Hill, Ontario.  But when Eleanor arrives, things don’t go according to plan...

If you'd like to learn more about the people, places and things that inspire Lucy Black or purchase her novel, 

 I don't know where to start... I'm white. I'm privileged. I view the world from a white lens. I am ashamed. I can do better. And, so can the people who respond to #BlackLivesMatter with #AllLivesMatter. Yes, all lives do matter but all lives do not live in fear because of the colour of their skin. Black lives are undervalued and this is wrong. Black lives matter. Black people are trying to be heard. And, I am listening.

The comic below by kris straub does a great job illustrating why "All Lives Matter" as a response to the current race crisis is perhaps...not the best response. ​

​Racism is not a problem exclusive to the US. We have racism in Canada. We can all do better, and we can start with acknowledging that we view the world from one of white privilege. We should be compassionate to those who are fighting to be heard and critical of those in power who are fighting to maintain a racist system. 

Here's a link to Black Organizations and Anti-Racist Groups Canadians can support.